Monday, December 21, 2009

Bay Area Husker ENews 12-18-09

Happy Holidays Bay Area Husker Fans!

A couple of sad notes from last weekend. First of all Ndamukong Suh didn't win the Heisman (but it was great to see him invited), and although the Volleyball Team won the first set against Texas in the regional finals on Saturday, they got aced out in three straight sets, ending their bid for another NCAA berth in the semi-finals.

I've also added more news about Holiday Bowl tickets and activities, and an article about immigrant demographics in the homeland helping with the economic recovery.
Go Big Red (White and Blue),Carl

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NU CONTINUES PREPARATIONS FOR HOLIDAY BOWL WITH ARIZONA GAME PLAN...
Lincoln, Neb. - After one day away from the practice fields, the Nebraska football team took to the Hawks Championship Center for a two-hour practice on Tuesday afternoon.

"It was a decent practice," Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini said. "It was a decent tempo. Nothing great. It was pretty average. We have to pick up the tempo even more tomorrow."

The Huskers continued to work on fundamentals as they prepare for the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30, but have also incorporated the game plan for Arizona into their work this week. NU looks to have solid practices this week, as it will take most of next week off for the holidays.

"This an important week of practice, really important," Pelini said. "It's a schedule I have been around. I like the schedule. You have to make use every time we have practice."

Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was back to the grind for the first time Tuesday after missing three practices to attend award ceremonies in the past week. The 6-4 senior captured numerous major awards, including the Rotary Lombardi Award, the Outland Trophy, the Bronko Nagurski Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award. He was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

While the Holiday Bowl is the main focus for Nebraska, the NU coaching staff will continue to mix in recruiting during the coming weeks, Pelini said.
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SUH FINISHES FOURTH IN HEISMAN RACE...

Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh finished fourth Saturday in the voting of the closest Heisman race ever. Suh was one of five finalists present for the ceremony at the Nokia Theater in New York City.

Suh finished the voting with 815 points. He was bidding to become the second defensive player to win the Heisman, but a two-man race developed with Alabama running back Mark Ingram (1,304 points) just getting past Stanford running back Toby Gerhart (1,276 points) by 28 points for the Heisman. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (1,145 points) followed in third ahead of Suh.

Suh just missed the best-ever finish for an interior defensive lineman in the Heisman voting, as he trails only the third-place finishes by Iowa's Alex Karras and Nebraska's Rich Glover in 1957 and 1972, respectively. Despite finishing fourth in the Heisman voting, Suh is among the most decocarted defensive players in college football history. Earlier this week, Suh won the Nagurski, Lombardi, Bednarik and Outland trophies.

Suh's fourth-place finish marks the 17th time a Nebraska player has finished in the top 10 in the Heisman voting, but the first since Eric Crouch won the award in 2001. Suh is the third defensive tackle and fourth Husker lineman to finish in the top 10, including middle guard Wayne Meylan (9th in 1966), middle guard Rich Glover (3rd in 1971) and offensive tackle Zach Wiegert (9th in 1994).

On hand at the Heisman ceremony were Suh's parents, Michael and Bernadette, as well as his sister, Ngum. Head Coach Bo Pelini, along with the entire Nebraska defensive staff also traveled to New York City on Saturday for the award, along with Assistant Athletic Director Jeff Jamrog and Head Football Strength Coach James Dobson.

Suh's banquet circuit is not quite over. Suh will travel to the Los Angeles area on Sunday for the Lott Trophy banquet on Sunday evening, before returning to Lincoln on Monday morning. Suh is scheduled to complete his undergraduate work next week and will pick up his degree in Lincoln next Saturday.
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HUSKERS IN THE NFL - WEEK 14...

Lincoln - A total of 25 former Huskers saw action during Week 14 of the 2009 NFL season.

Cody Glenn and the Indianapolis Colts locked up homefield advantage throughout the playoffs with a 28-16 win over Denver, as the Colts are now a perfect 13-0. For the Broncos, Correll Buckhalter carried four times for 19 yards. Russ Hochstein also helped protect Kyle Orton as he completed a NFL-record 21 passed to Brandon Marshall for 200 yards and two scores.

Mike Brown and Demorrio Williams once again led the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive attack as the two former Huskers were 1-2 in tackles in a 16-10 loss to Buffalo. Brown led the way with nine total stops, including eight solo tackles, while Williams added another eight tackles (seven solo). On the other side of the ball, Chris Kelsey assisted in the Bills’ win by producing three tackles, one sack and a forced fumble.

Barrett Ruud totaled 11 tackles, including eight solo stops, but it was not enough to hold off Matt Slauson and the Jets, as the Buccaneers fell to 1-12 with a 26-3 loss. Ruud has been one of the bright spots for Tampa Bay on the year as NU’s all-time leading tackler has accumulated 113 tackles through 13 games, marking the third straight season he has hit triple-digits tackles.

===========TEXAS TOPS NEBRASKA TO REACH NCAA SEMIFINALS...

Omaha, Neb. - The second-seeded Texas volleyball team used another outstanding offensive performance and a dominant effort at the net to defeat No. 10 seed Nebraska, 3-1, on Saturday night in the NCAA Omaha Regional Final in front of 9,253 fans at the Qwest Center.

With the win, the Longhorns advance to the NCAA National Semifinals for the second straight year. Texas will meet 11th-seeded Minnesota on Thursday at 6 p.m. (Central) at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.

The Longhorns dropped the first set on Saturday night, but just as was the case the previous four times it lost the opening set, Texas rallied to win. After falling 25-21 in set one, Texas took the next three sets by scores of 25-18, 25-16, 25-17 to improve to 28-1 on the season. The Longhorns also became the first team in the NCAA era to defeat Nebraska three times in the same season.

Regional Most Outstanding Player Destinee Hooker paced Texas with 18 kills on 40 swings. She was one of five Longhorns who hit above .300 in the match. Juliann Faucette added 14 kills as Texas hit .342 in the match, an impressive figure as the Huskers had held seven straight opponents to .150 or less.

Nebraska only finished with three fewer kills than Texas, but the Huskers were blocked nine times and committed 26 errors while hitting at a .179 clip. After hitting .297 in the opening set, Nebraska hit .167 or worse in each of the final three sets. Three Huskers totaled double-figures in kills, led by Lindsey Licht with 12. Kori Cooper added 11 kills in her final match, while Tara Mueller tallied 10 kills.

Nebraska won five of the first six rallies to jump out to a quick 5-1 lead in set one. The Huskers led 8-3 before Texas burned an early time out. NU stretched the lead to 11-4, before Texas used a 4-1 run to trim the lead to 16-12 and force a Husker time out. Nebraska scored a kill after the break before two Husker hitting errors and a Hooker ace closed the gap to 17-14 and forced Nebraska to spend another time out. The Huskers were the first to 20 at 20-16 and stretched the lead to 23-18 before Mueller closed out a four-point win with a kill, as Nebraska won its its 31st straight set.

In set two, Texas didn't record its first kill until the 14th rally, but by the time Rachael Adams finally found the floor, it tied the score at 7-7 against the error-prone Huskers. The Longhorns took their first lead of the match one rally later on Nebraska's seventh error of the set. Nebraska rallied to take a 12-8 lead before a 5-1 Longhorn run gave Texas a 15-13 lead at the media time out. The Huskers pulled even at 16 before Texas' offense got into a rhythm. The Longhorns won the next five rallies and closed the set on a 9-2 run. In evening the match, Texas hit .364 in the second set but had six fewer kills than Nebraska, as the Huskers had 10 attack errors - including three Longhorn blocks - and four service errors.

It was Texas who got off to the quick start in set three, scoring five of the first seven points. Nebraska got as close as three before the Longhorns pulled away behind an extremely efficient offense. The lead grew to 17-9 when Nebraska spent its final time out. At that point, Texas had 11 kills in the set on only 19 swings while Nebraska had only four kills. The Longhorns led by as many as 10 down the stretch before a Jennifer Doris kill wrapped up the set. Texas hit a blistering .467 in the set, totaling 10 more kills than Nebraska while out-hitting the Huskers by more than .200 for the second straight set.

After Nebraska scored the first two points of set four, Texas answered with a 6-1 run to take a three-point lead. The Huskers chipped away at the lead and used a 4-1 run to move in front 9-8 and force a Texas time out. The Longhorns won the first two rallies after the break and neither team led by more than one until Texas seized control of the set and the match with a decisive 8-1 run that put the Longhorns in front 21-14. Texas then won three of the final five rallies, as Adams punched UT's ticket to the National Semifinals with a kill on Texas' second match point.

Nebraska, which was appearing in an NCAA Regional Final for a nation-leading sixth straight season, saw its 10-match winning streak snapped. The Huskers finished the season with a 26-7 record.

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FOUR HUSKERS NAMED AVCA ALL-AMERICANS...

Lincoln – Four Nebraska volleyball players were honored Wednesday morning, as the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its 2009 All-America team. Sophomore middle blocker Brooke Delano led the charge as a second-team selection, while junior setter Sydney Anderson was tabbed for the third team. In addition, senior middle blocker Kori Cooper and freshman outside hitter Hannah Werth were chosen as honorable-mention selections.

Nebraska leads the nation with 67 AVCA All-America selections (first, second and third-team) and has had at least one All-American in 28 consecutive seasons. The Husker program has produced 32 All-Americans in John Cook’s 10 seasons as Nebraska’s head coach.

Delano continues a tradition of middle blocking All-Americans, as she averaged 2.34 kills and 1.09 blocks per set in her first year as Nebraska’s starting middle blocker. She ranked fifth in the Big 12 in hitting percentage (.339) and sixth in blocking and was the only sophomore to rank in the top 10 in both categories. Delano reached double figures in kills in 10 matches, including a season-high 14 kills against Oklahoma and No. 11 Minnesota. Her best offensive night came against Missouri on Nov. 4, when she totaled 10 kills on .833 hitting against the Tigers. Delano averaged 2.54 kills per set on .329 hitting in four NCAA matches, as the Huskers faced three ranked teams in the postseason. Nebraska middle blockers have combined for 10 AVCA All-America awards this decade.

Anderson collected her second straight All-America award after averaging 11.53 assists, 0.77 kills and 2.45 digs per set in 2009. She ranked 13th nationally in assists while running an offense that ranked in the top 10 nationally in both kills and assists per game. She owned a team-high 14 double-doubles and helped the Huskers hit .300 or better in 13 matches. Anderson produced 50 or more assists five times, including a career-best 57 assists in a sweep of Missouri on Oct. 18. It marks the 19th time in the last 26 seasons a Husker setter has earned All-America honors, and Anderson becomes the eighth Nebraska setter to be a two-time All-American.

Cooper earned honorable-mention All-America honors for the second straight season, as she averaged 2.49 kills and 0.89 blocks per set this fall. She led the Big 12 in hitting percentage at .372, which ranked 20th nationally after returning from knee surgery in November of 2008. Cooper reached double figures in kills seven times this season, including a career-high 16 kills on .414 hitting against No. 14 Iowa State on Oct. 21. She hit .400 or better in 13 matches in 2009, including a career-best .765 on 13 kills against Texas A&M on Nov. 13. A two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, Cooper finished her career with 734 kills on .368 hitting and 0.94 blocks per set to help Nebraska to a 121-13 record in that stretch.

Werth finished the 2009 campaign averaging a team-best 3.18 kills per game along with 3.07 digs per set, becoming the first Husker freshman to average more than 3.00 kills and 3.00 digs per set. She led all Big 12 freshmen in kills and totaled 13 double-doubles on the season. An honorable-mention AVCA All-Central Region selection, Werth raised her level of play in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 3.15 kills, 3.62 digs and 0.54 blocks per set in four NCAA matches. Werth finished the season ranked second on NU’s career freshman digs list with 332 and third on the list with 343 digs.
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YANZ TO END VOLLEYBALL CAREER...

Lincoln – University of Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook announced Wednesday that Jessica Yanz has decided to forego her final season playing volleyball in the Husker program. Yanz, a fourth-year junior, will graduate this May from Nebraska with a degree in business administration.

“This has been a very difficult decision for me, but one that my parents and I believe to be in my best interest,” Yanz said. “It was an honor to play for a program as prestigious as Nebraska in front of the greatest fans in college volleyball. To my teammates, coaches, support staff, and fans alike, thank you for everything you have done for me over the past two years. My time here at Nebraska will never be forgotten.”

Cook appreciates the contributions that Yanz has made at Nebraska in helping the Huskers to a 57-10 mark, a Big 12 title and an NCAA semifinals appearance since joining the Husker program.

“Jess has given a lot to our program over the last two years,” Cook said. “She has earned the respect of her teammates and our staff with her work ethic in the gym and how she has supported her teammates. We wish her nothing but success in the future.”

After transferring from Penn State in 2008, Yanz appeared in 10 matches for the Huskers this season, totaling 25 assists and 13 digs while backing up All-American Sydney Anderson. She totaled season highs in both assists (17) and digs (seven) against UL-Lafayette and helped Nebraska to a 26-7 record and a sixth straight NCAA Regional finals appearance in 2009.
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HOLIDAY BOWL TICKETS...

We have one ticket for sale to the NU-UA Holiday Bowl at the price of $81, what we paid for it. If you could advertise for us with the Bay Area Husker Fans, we would appreciate it! The ticket is in the South end zone, lower level Section 15. Its on the Pac 10 side of the field but a great view of the game. For more info contact:

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STILL HAS TICKETS TO THE HOLIDAY BOWL...

The Nebraska Alumni Association has some of the best seats still available as part of a game day package that also includes passes to the Husker Huddle, the official pre-game tailgate for Husker fans. This pre-game pep rally will be held less than 50 yards from Qualcomm Stadium and features the Husker Sports Network’s pre-game broadcast, visits from University and athletic department dignitaries, former Huskers and the NU Spirit Squad and pep band. This can’t-miss event also includes a full buffet (see options below) and plenty of giveaways.

Tickets can be purchased only by calling 888-353-1874. The following options are available:

$125 Scarlet Package –game ticket and admission to the Husker Huddle, includes full buffet.

$80 Cream Package –game ticket and admission to the Husker Huddle (access to cash bar and spirit program, but NO FOOD).

$65 Scarlet Huddle Only – Admission to Husker Huddle with food, NO GAME TICKET.

$20 Cream Huddle Only – Admission to the Husker Huddle (access to cash bar and spirit program. NO GAME TICKET. NO FOOD).

* Please note, there is an additional $16 shipping and handling (FedEx) charge to have your tickets mailed to you.

Additional details about the Huddle, including the menu, location and program, will be posted on our Web site as they become available.
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HUSKERPEDIA ACTIVITIES AT THE HOLIDAY BOWL...

All of the HuskerPedia San Diego Holiday Bowl events have been finalized. Due to multiple requests we have changed the Friday night event at the Elks Club to a concert only format. This is the smallest venue of the three and is limited to 400 people. We have to give each venue an accurate head count as possible so please purchase your tickets now. All events will have a higher cover charge at the door.

The game day tailgate is in the largest venue space on the parking lot. It is located close to the trolley stop as is the House of Blues. On game day you can take the trolley from your hotel to the game, from the game to the House of Blues and then back to your hotel. No need for a designated driver.

There have been a lot of changes in the HuskerPedia events for the Holiday Bowl. The main change is a change of venue for the Tuesday, Dec. 29th Sidetrack Concert. It has been moved to Dick's Last Resort in the Gas Lamp District just a few blocks from the team hotel and within walking distance of several downtown hotels. Here is the summary:

Tuesday, Dec. 29th - Dick's Last Resort, $10 cover charge, no advance sales, get there early and enjoy the crab dinner special.

Game Day tailgate - Section A 4 of the stadium parking lot. Doors open at 11:30 for advance sales, noon for walk ups. Cost is $39 in advance, $50 walk up price.

Left Turn Party in Salt Lake City on Dec. 27th - venue has been changed to the Utahns for Nebraska watch site and price is $15 for adults and $10 for kids and includes food. Join the UT4NE crowd on the way to the game.

Hotel rooms - Get a great rate at several San Diego Hotels at this link or by calling 888-878-9649.

When coming to the game please consider taking the trolley and/or bus system to get around. Parking can be expensive and hard to find. The House of Blues and Dick's Last Resort are located within walking distance of several downtown hotels. The best rate is at the Westin downtown. and is close to trolley and bus lines.

The Tailgate the Nation crew will be filming at our tailgate and we will become a part of their documentary that is scheduled to be released next summer. Come to California and be in the movies. Hope to see you in San Diego.

Nebraska Head Softball Coach Rhonda Revelle was selected for induction into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the NFCA announced Saturday morning on the final day of its National Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

With her selection, Revelle joins an elite group of Hall of Fame coaches. The NFCA first began electing members to its Hall of Fame in 1991 and in nearly 20 years, only 53 coaches have been selected for induction. Joining Revelle in the 2010 Hall of Fame Class, which will be formally inducted in December of 2010, are Chris Bellotto, the head coach at Florida Southern and Melinda Fischer, the head coach at Illinois State.

Revelle was humbled by the honor and gave much of the credit to all of the people who have been involved with Nebraska softball throughout her career.

"It is extremely humbling to think about going into the NFCA Hall of Fame," she said. "It is even more of an honor to be inducted as a coach from the University of Nebraska. I am so fortunate to have always been surrounded by such a great team. This award truly belongs to the entire Nebraska softball community."

Entering her 18th season in 2010, Revelle owns a 650-342 career record at Nebraska. She is the winningest coach in Nebraska softball history and ranks third in all-time victories among all Husker coaches across all sports.

After spending her first two seasons in Lincoln laying the foundation to rebuild the Husker softball program, Revelle has produced impressive results over the past 15 seasons. During that span, Nebraska has made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, while capturing six Big 12 titles and twice advancing to the Women's College World Series.

The Huskers have won at least 35 games in 14 of the past 15 seasons, as Revelle has guided Nebraska to the top eight season win totals in school history, including the only three 50-win seasons in Husker history. Individually, Revelle has coached 14 All-Americans in her first 17 seasons, while also producing 10 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, a total that ranks third nationally.

Revelle ranks in the top 25 all-time among Division I coaches in winning percentage (minimum of 15 seasons) and is also among the top 25 Division I active coaches in victories at their current school.

To be eligible for induction into the NFCA Hall of Fame, the individual must have served as a head coach for a minimum of 15 years, must have been an NFCA member in good standing for a minimum of six years during his or her coaching career and must have made contributions to the NFCA by serving on committees, holding office, or serving in other capacities.

In addition to her coaching career, Revelle has twice served as NFCA President, along with a stint as Second Vice President. She has also been actively involved in NFCA committees, serving as a member of the NFCA All-American Committee for four years before chairing the committee for two more years.

Revelle's commitment to coaching and developing student-athletes on and off the field, while also contributing to the softball community at large made her a natural selection for the NFCA Hall of Fame, according to Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne.

"Rhonda Revelle has had an exceptional coaching career and has made a great contribution to not only the softball program here at the University of Nebraska but to women's athletics in general," said Osborne, the former Husker football coach who was enshrined in the National College Football Hall of Fame.

"She has had a long and distinguished career and has been someone who not only has been successful on the field but has promoted academic success and strong values among her student-athletes. I am very pleased that she is being selected for this honor."
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LATINOS, ASIANS BOOST NEBRASKA ECONOMY...

OMAHA, Neb. – Asians and Latinos in Nebraska had a buying power of nearly $3.8 billion in 2008 and data continue to show immigrants are among those making significant contributions to the state's economy, according to a report issued Monday by a national immigration policy group.

Nebraska's foreign-born population, which contributes as workers, employers and taxpayers, will therefore play an integral role in helping the state recover from tough economic times, says the report by the Washington-based Immigration Policy Center.

A Nebraska Department of Economic Development spokeswoman said she would review the report, but couldn't immediately comment Monday.

The report that uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other research groups, including the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia, is the latest in the policy center's state-by-state look at the economic and political power of immigrants and their children.

Findings can be considered by states as officials examine related legislation, said center spokeswoman Wendy Sefsaf.

The report doesn't differentiate between legal and illegal immigrants because of a lack of available data.

"That's what's so problematic about the undocumented population is that they're clandestine and they're very, very hard to track," Sefsaf said.

Latinos made up 7.5 percent of the state's population in 2007. Asians made up 1.4 percent.

Asians and Latinos in California wield the most purchasing power among all states — $412 billion, according to the Selig Center's analysis.

In 2007, Nebraska was home to more than 98,500 immigrants, or 5.6 percent of the state's population. More than 36,000 were naturalized citizens, meaning they were eligible to vote, according to the report.

Foreign-born workers accounted for 6.5 percent of the state's work force.

The report referenced research unveiled last year from the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Office of Latino/Latin American Studies. It found that in 2006, immigrant spending amounted to $1.6 billion and created about 12,000 jobs statewide.

Attention recently has been paid in Nebraska to public costs incurred because of illegal immigrants. Earlier this year, Gov. Dave Heineman signed into law a measure aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from collecting public benefits like food stamps, unemployment and welfare.

Some state senators had questioned whether the bill was needed when a federal law already prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving most state benefits.

Although lawmakers were unable to provide comprehensive data detailing costs incurred by the state, Labor Department officials cited a savings of more than $322,000 in 2008 gained through verifying the legal status of people receiving unemployment insurance benefits.

The policy group's report doesn't examine costs, although Sefsaf acknowledged there are some.

There's a lot of people out there documenting the fiscal costs of every service (immigrants) potentially use, but they never counterbalance that with the economic benefits," she said.